Mobile Covid-19 test unit available at New Cross Hospital

Monday, 24 May 2021 16:17

The mobile Covid-19 rapid testing unit will be remaining at New Cross Hospital over the next few weeks.

Anyone without symptoms of coronavirus is invited to get a free test by visiting the unit which is situated outside the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre between 11am and 8pm every day.

People who are getting a test before visiting a friend or relative in the hospital are asked to arrive for their test at least 30 minutes before their visiting time to ensure they can receive their result.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “One in three people with Covid-19 do not have any symptoms but could still spread the virus to family and friends.

“Rapid testing is helping to idenfity these asymptomatic cases and reduce the spread of infection, and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get themselves tested on a regular basis.
“The mobile unit is now at New Cross Hospital for visitors to use at their convenience. Please allow 30 minutes before your visiting slot to get tested and for your result to be made available.”

People can also get a free rapid test at the Civic Centre, The Hub at Ashmore Park and the Jamia Masjid Bilal, while free home test kits can be collected from the mobile unit, the Civic Centre, The Hub at Ashmore Park, PCR test centres, Bilston Market, Wolverhampton Market, WV Active Aldersley, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central, Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre, a number of city schools and from local pharmacies offering the Pharmacy Collect service (details at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk).

Up to two boxes can be collected at a time, containing a total of 14 home test kits. The kits include step-by-step instructions to complete the test, and people are reminded they should register their result, even if it is negative.

More information on rapid testing, including advice about how to take the test at home, is available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/get-tested.

Please note, rapid testing is not available for people with coronavirus symptoms. Anyone with symptoms, including high temperature, a new or continuous cough, or a loss or taste or smell, should book a PCR test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.